Sir Patrick Stewart died at age 86 on Wednesday following a private fight with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
His estranged son, actor Daniel Stewart, 59, posted a picture on social media showing Sir Patrick giving him a piggyback ride, without adding a caption.
The image was captured during the 2001 production of "Johnson Over Jordan" at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
In 2023, Sir Patrick told the Irish Independent that his separation from his children, Daniel, 59, and Sophie, 54, made him feel "significant grief".
He admitted his obsession with work had eclipsed family life, saying he "always put my acting work first, before my family".
He added that his children "became who they are" partly because of his "influence or lack of influence" and that he was trying to make amends with his grandchildren, noting his own children seemed to have forgiven him.
His 2023 memoir, Making It So, described the parent-child relationship as a "work in progress" and referenced the split with ex-wife Sheila Falconer.
The official Instagram account announced his passing at his Los Angeles home on Thursday evening, stating he died "in the loving care of his beloved wife Sunny" after a "brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia".
Sir Patrick's six-decade career, highlighted by roles as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, earned him a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2010.
Tributes poured in, including a post from William Shatner on X praising Stewart's humanity and a remembrance from co-star Hugh Jackman calling him a "tremendous friend".
Marvel Studios also released a statement describing the actor as "a true gentleman".
